Yes Airways - new Polish holiday charter airline

Yes Airways in a new Polish holiday charter airline that is due to start operations from the end of April 2011. Yes will become the first Polish airline to operator Airbus aircraft and will start operations with two Airbus A320 airliners.

The first aircraft EI-DDL c/n 533 has recently been painted in Yes Airways colour scheme at Southend, UK and will shortly become SP-IAA  - see photo link below


http://www.airliners.net/photo/Yes-Airways/Airbus-A320-214/1906363/M/


A second A320 N566BB c/n 566 will follow soon and will become SP-IAB - photo link to N566JB below


http://www.flickr.com/photos/aeropix/5581625679/page2/



Yes Airways will operate holiday flights from Poland to Mediterranean resorts.


More information on the Yes Airways website below



http://www.yesairways.pl/



UPDATE Spring 2012  - Yes Airways merged with regional carrier OLT in Spring 2012 to become OLT Express

FURTHER UPDATE August 2012 - OLT Express cancel charter flights and aircraft reposed - more details here

http://www.thenews.pl/1/12/Artykul/107552,Holidaymakers-stranded-as-OLT-Express-suspends-charters




Steve

Aero 2011 Friedrichshafen - Polish Aviation

The Aero 2011 trade show took place at Friedrichshafen, Germany in April 2011.  Many Polish aviation companies exhibited at this trade fair display a wide variety of light aircraft, gliders and gyrocopters including



Aero  - build the AT-3 and AT-4 light aircraft - this year Aero exhibited two aircraft

AT-3 R100 - c/n 052 -  complete and registered as HB-SRB

G-SKAZ - photo by Bill Teasdale - click through to link on AB PIC

AT-3 R100 - c/n 055 -  complete and registered as G-SKAZ - this aircraft features a glass cockpit display



Aero Kros - Three examples of the MP-02 Czajka light aircraft were displayed on an exhibition area with their Western Europe dealer JMB Aviation. The aircraft shown were

c/n 02  - complete registered as "59-DCG"
c/n 04  - complete but unmarked, white with red and blue stripes - destined for a customer in France
c/n 06 - fuselage only - #06 is the first example to have the rear cabin wall placed further back to give more cabin space.

MP-02 Czajka c/n 04 - destined for France

MP-02 Czajka c/n 06 - first with enlarged cabin

Allstar - build gliders - This year they exhibited two gliders,

SZD 54-2 Perkoz - c/n 542.A.11.002 - this example will be the first to feature the extended wing span ( 20m ) and will become the new Perkoz demonstrator for Allstar.  For more information on the SZD 54-2 Perkoz see link below

SZD 54-2 Perkoz product information

SZD 59 Acro - c/n  590.A.09.013

Celier Aviation - build gyrocopters. This year they exhibited two Xenon gyrocopters and the first prototype of their new KISS gyro.  The aircraft shown were
Xenon 2 c/n CAE 08173 - complete registered as "SP-XENF" white
Xenon Executive - c/n ?? - complete, unregistered, black colours, luxury version with revised nose contour too
KISS - c/n ?? - first prototype, large entry level gyro, red colours


Ekolot - build light aircraft - this year they exhibited one aircraft,

JK-05L Junior - c/n 05-08-08


FK Lightplanes - this major aircraft company has its assembly line at Krosno, Poland. FK have designed and built a variety of light aircraft over the past 20 years. At Aero 2011 they exhibited their latest models,

FK-9 ELA c/n 420 - complete registered as I-A412 in the white/green colours of the Italian Police Locale

FK-12 Comet - c/n 096  - complete but unregistered - white/orange

FK-14 Le Mans  - c/n 132 - complete but unregistered - white/green - this new version of the FK-14 Polaris features twin open side by side cockpits with dual windscreens - looks great




Marganski - build aircraft and gliders - this year they exhibited one aircraft

EM-11C Orka - c/n ?? - complete registered as SP-MAR - the EM-11C Orka received EASA type approval in April 2011



ZS Jezow - build new gliders and restore & repair gliders too. This year they exhibited two gliders

PW-5 Smyk - c/n ??
PW-6U - c/n ??


3Xtrim - build aircraft - this year they exhibited one aircraft

Navigator 600 - c/n E63 - complete registered as D-MNXT - white with red/blue colours

Steve

New M28 Skytruck on delivery to USA 1.4.11 - SP-DGW to be N324HA

The latest PZL Mielec M28 Skytruck registered SP-DGW departed from Mielec on delivery to the USAF AFSOC on 1st April 2011 - this aircraft is c/n AJE003-24. The aircraft is painted white and blue.

For more photos by Andrzej Rak and Marcin Kołacz follow the link below

http://epmlspotters.pl/1/3/2229/



The aircraft routed to Luxembourg for an overnight stay before departing on 2nd April 2011 to Wick, Scotland before heading across the Atlantic.

The aircraft will be re-registered as N324HA once it arrives with the Sierra Nevada Corp in the USA for final mission fitting.


Steve

Sikorsky S-70i - Full Saudi MOI colour scheme

On the 7th March 2011 the first example of a S-70i  in full Saudi Ministry of Interior colours was seen at the Sikorsky PZL Mielec factory at Mielec, Poland - this helicopter wears serial MOI-33.

The colour scheme is olive drab upper with gloss white lower - the Saudi MOI is the launch customer for the new Polish built S-70i with an order for three aircraft.

Credit to epmlspotters.pl for posting these photos

More photos by Marcin Bobro on the following link

http://epmlspotters.pl/1/3/2086/Zdj%C4%99cia-S-70i-MOI-33----naziemne-testy-awioniki


Steve

Aero AT-3 news - Spring 2011

The Aero AT-3 light aircraft continues to sell well with almost 60 aircraft built to date  - new customer deliveries for Spring 2011 include AT-3 aircraft for clients in Belgium ( 2 aircraft ), The Netherlands ( 1 aircraft ) and Poland ( 2 aircraft ).

The photo above shows production of the Aero AT-3 at Mielec, Poland


The AT-4 light sport aircraft is also in production with over 30 aircraft built to date and recent deliveries in 2011 includes several examples to South Korea.

Steve

First Ekolot KR-030 Topaz in the USA

Ekolot recently delivered the first Topaz light aircraft to the USA.

 
The aircraft c/n 030-03-10 has been imported by NIU Group of Illinois and was registered as N717SP in November 2010. The KR-030 Topaz has sold to many countries including South Africa, France, Czech Republic, Poland and Thailand.

Steve

Aero Kros fly the third MP-02 Czajka

Aero Kros have completed the third example of the ultralight MP-02 Czajka. This 3rd aircraft first flew in October 2010 and is now registered as SP-SEYU.


Photo link to Czajka SP-SEYU

http://www.elnika.com.pl/ODSmigla/foto/9ee35743d3113b8cb0cb2bfa1a8a420b.jpg



Aero Kros have also published a new website specifically for the MP-02 Czajka - please see

http://www.mp-02.pl/



Steve

Aircraft sold to Poland from the UK - November 2010

The latest UK CAA aircraft register shows one aircraft cancelled from the "G-......" register as exported to Poland in November 2010.

G-BPJD Socata 110ST Galopin c/n 3253 was cancelled on 22.11.2010 as sold to Poland. This Rallye type aircraft was built in 1979 and originally sold to Denmark as OY-CAV. In December 1988 it took up the UK registration G-BPJD. The aircraft has now flown over 3,400 flight hours.

See photo link below for a photo of G-BPJD in 2008.

http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1109085/

If you see this aircraft in Poland please let me know - thanks

Steve

S-70i Black Hawk - first flight in Poland

On 15th November 2010 the first flight of the second Polish built S-70i Black Hawk took place at Mielec in Poland. This helicopter is registered as SP-YVA and is the second example built at Mielec but the first to fly in Poland.

Photo courtesy of Sikorsky UTC

The first prototype was rolled out at Mielec in March 2010 before being shipped to the USA, where it first flew as N4905N in July 2010.

Photo link to S-70i N4905N, built at Mielec but now test fling in the USA

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24526864@N03/5191864581/in/photostream/




Saudi Arabia are the launch customer with three S-70i Black Hawks on order for the Ministry of Interior  ( MOI ) and due for delivery during 2011.

More info on the Sikorsky press release via the link below


Sikorsky Press Release


Steve in UK

Virtus - Gyrocopter designed by Jan Romaniak

A new design from Poland is the Virtus gyrocopter designed and built by Jan Romaniak. The Virtus is an enclosed two seater gyro powered by a Honda CBR 1000 engine. This gyrocopter first flew in December 2009. The prototype Virtus is shown in the photo below

Mr Romaniak has previously built and flown two kit built gyrocopters in Poland  - his first gyro was an AX-02 Gepard which initially operated as F-WTYD before being re-registered as LA-0461.

In 2004 he built an Averso Aviation Delta gyrocopter which was initially registered as AP-MSWQ before being re-registered as SP-MSWO.


For more information about the Virtus and other gyros built by Jan Romaniak please see the web link below


http://www.wiatrakowce.net/


Steve in UK

1507 - New C-130E Hercules arrives in Poland

The Polish Air Force recently took delivery of another C-130E Hercules - this example has Polish serial 1507. The Hercules passed through RAF Mildenhall in the UK at the end of September 2010 in USAF colours as serial 21856 callsign REACH 104 - it arrived at Powidz air base in Poland on 1st October 2010 and was re-painted with Polish Air Force roundels and new serial 1507.

1507 arrived at Krakow, Poland on 24th October 2010 for a few days of para dropping - this Hercules was built by Lockheed with c/n 3820 was operated with the USAF as 62-1856 for almost 48 years  - the final USAF unit to fly this veteran Herc was the 61 Airlift Squadron ( 61 AS ) as Little Rock, Arkansas.

1507  - photo courtesy Polish Air Force website - http://www.sp.mil.pl/

The Polish Air Force purchased five re-conditioned 1970 vintage C-130E Hercules to be numbered 1501 - 1505 - the overhaul process has taken longer than expected and only 1501 and 1502 have so far arrived -  so the USAF loaned an additional aircraft to Poland in November 2009 as serial 1506. Unfortunately 1506 was badly damaged when it clipped the side of a mountain in Afghanistan in February 2010 just 3 months after delivery.

The recently arrived 1507 fills the gap.

Photo Link below to C-130E Hercules 1507 at Krakow on 24.10.10

http://iv.pl/images/48890206441424548769.jpg

Wilga 2000 - C-GRJK for sale

Currently shown for sale in Canada is PZL Okecie Wilga 2000 C-GRJK - there are some great photos of this aircraft operating in the rugged wilderness of Canada, on floats and with very large tundra tyres.

C-GRJK is c/n 00010014 and originally test flew as SP-WDR in June 2001  - it was exhibited at the Paris Air Show that same month painted in a red colour scheme. In early 2002 this Wilga 2000 was sold to the USA and became N214AL based in New Mexico - however in July 2003 it had an accident ending up going through a fence.

The damaged aircraft was rebuilt in Canada and ready to fly again by summer 2004 registered as C-GRJK.

See the link below for more details and to see the photos of C-GRJK operating in Canada.


http://www.aztecnomad.com/rjk_page.html



Steve

New Xenons for South Africa

Celier Aviation of Poland recently delivered two new build Xenon 2 gyrocopters to South Africa.

The fully enclosed gyro is popular in South Africa with at least 7 examples registered locally. The latest examples are both Xenon 2 RST models,


ZU-RGA c/n CAH 11974S registered on 21st September 2010

ZU-RGB c/n CAH 11874S registered on 21st September 2010

The Xenon is built at the Celier factory at Jaktorow - Kolonia approx 30 miles south west of Warsaw.


External Link to Celier Xenon 2 RST web page below


http://www.celieraviation.eu/view/131-xenon-2-rst.html


For more information about the Xenon gyrocopter fleet listing see



http://xenongyroblog.blogspot.com/




Steve

Politechnic Rzeszow receives new Liberty XL-2 trainers

The Politechnic Rzeszow has had a flight training school for the past 30 years known as OKL, and have operatied aircraft such as the PZL 104 Wilga, PZL 110 Koliber, PZL M-20 Mewa and the SOCATA TB-9 Tampico.

As part of its fleet renewal programme the OKL has recently taken delivery of 5 new build Liberty XL-2 single engine trainers. These aircraft were built in the USA and were delivered to Rzeszow in August and September 2010. The tender process included considering the Polish built Aero AT-3 but the XL-2 won in part due to the fact it is certified to fly in IFR conditions. These are the first Liberty aircraft to be registered in Poland.

Photo of Liberty XL-2 SP-TZB Photo courtesy of OKL Rzeszow and copyright of Ryszard Dworak

The aircraft are

SP-TZA(2) c/n 0132 ex N664XL


SP-TZB(2) c/n 0133 ex N665XL

SP-TZC(2) c/n 0134 ex N667XL

SP-TZD(2) c/n 0135 ex N668XL

SP-TZE      c/n 0136 ex N669XL

Note that the OKL previously operated four Wilga 35A in the 1980/90s also registered as SP-TZA - TZD.


LINK to Politechnic Rzeszow - OKL web page with more photos of the Liberty XL-2

http://www.okl.prz.edu.pl/xl2.html


Steve in UK

New Piper Pa-34 Seneca V delivered to Poland - N2310W - SP-TUD

Piper Aircraft delivered a new build Pa-34-220T Seneca V registration N2310W c/n 3449412 to Poland arriving on the 27th September 2010. The aircraft landed at Lodz airport before departing to Warsaw.

The aircraft was built in 2010 and registered as N2310W on 16th September 2010. The aircraft departed Lakeland, Florida, USA on 23rd September to start its journey across the Atlantic.


This aircraft routed through the UK en route from the USA, stopping at Shoreham on the 26th September and then Humberside on 27th September.


The American registration was cancelled by the FAA on the 5th October 2010 with the reason shown as "sold to Poland". The Seneca has been in production since 1971.


External link to Piper Aircraft Pa-34-220T Seneca V web page below

http://www.piper.com/pages/Seneca.cfm

UPDATE 12.10.10 - this new Seneca V arrived with the OKL Politechnic Rzeszow at Rzeszow airport registered as SP-TUD painted in a white and light blue colours scheme, see image below

Photo courtesy of OKL Politechnic Rzeszow and copyright of Ryszard Dworak

More details on the OKL web page

http://www.okl.prz.edu.pl/senecav.html


Steve in UK

New Aero AT-3 aircraft in the UK

Aero recently delivered one new build AT-3 R100 c/n AT3-055 to the UK from their factory at Mielec in Poland.

This light aircraft was registered in the UK on 27th September 2010 as G-SKAZ.

Another recent AT-3 aircraft to be registered in the UK is G-RDFX - this example is a factory supplied kit and has been registered with the PFA c/n 327-14295 - it was registered on 8th July 2010 - I suspect that this kit *might be* factory c/n AT3-009 but would welcome confirmation please.

Steve

New W-3A Sokol delivered to Chile

PZL Swidnik have recently delivered a new build W-3A Sokol helicopter to Chile. The helicopter is c/n 37 09 17 and was registered in Chile as CC-ACJ on 28th September 2010.

The helicopter is operated by CONAF the national forestry organisation  and is the first W-3 Sokol to be sold to South America.

This Sokol was initially test flown at Swidnik as SP-SWV before training as SP-SYS.

Photo Link to CONAF W-3A Sokol as SP-SWV

For photos and video of this new W-3A Sokol in Chile please follow the links below


http://www.modocharlie.com/2010/09/y-llego-el-sokol/


http://www.aviaciontotal.cl/2010/10/video-vuelo-de-certificacion-del-sw-3a-sokol-de-conaf/




Steve in UK

PW-5 Smyks in Argentina

The PW-5 Smyk world class glider is very popular in Argentina - in fact there are more Smyks registered in Argentina than any other country - If you include the two recent examples exported from New Zealand to Argentina a total of 38 Smyks have been registered since 1997.

I'd like to thank Raul Macchi of Argentina for supplying the following two photos of the PW-5 Smyk in Argentina.

LV-EOZ c/n 17.08.002 - this Smyk was built in 1997 and originally exported by PZL Swidnik to New Zealand where it became ZK-GSJ in November 1997 registered to an owner in Queenstwon. In 1999 this Smyk was sold to Argentina with just 30 flight hours where it was registered as LV-EOZ, operating with the Gliding Club Rosario - it is interesting to note that this Smyk still wears the tail code "SJ" from its previous New Zealand registration and appears to lack LV-EOZ.

LV-EOV PW-5 Smyk c/n 17.12.022 - this Smyk was built by PZL Swidnik in 2001although it wasn't registered until August 2003 as ZK-GHK in New Zealand ( hence HK tail code in this photo ). In May 2009 it was cancelled from the aircraft register in New Zealand and sold on to Argentina where it became LV-EOV. This Smyk is flown by Raul Macchi and operates from Gliding Club Bolivar.

If anyone can give me an update on the two most recent Smyks to be imported into Argentina ( during 2010 ) please let me know - these are

Smyk c/n 17.03.004 ex ZK-GWN

Smyk c/n 17.08.016 ex ZK-GES


Steve in UK

Light Aircraft Data Exchange - LADEX

Hi,

I've created a new Yahoo Group called the Light Aircraft Data Exchange - LADEX

I hope it will allow members to ask queries and questions about light aircraft, microlight aircraft, ULM, gliders and autogyros - for example,


How many PZL 104 Wilga 2000 aircraft were built ?


What is the construction number of FK-12 Comet D-MICI


What happened to the Slovakian Tecnam Sierra S5-PIS ?



Currently discuss Flight Design CT construction numbers / MSN / werknummer on LADEX

I know that many aviation enthusiasts and aircraft historians have a wealth of knowledge about their favourite aircraft types - specialist knowledge that could really help someone with only a passing interest in a particular aircraft type or aircraft manufacturer  - knowledge is a two way street and I hope very much that all members can both learn and share on this group.

If you want to join please visit the link below and briefly tell me your own area of interest with light aircraft - thanks

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LADEX_GROUP/


Steve in UK

New M-28 Skytruck on delivery to the USA

The latest M-28 Skytruck ( Alfa ) for the US AFSOC departed the PZL Mielec factory in Poland on Saturday 25th September 2010.

The aircraft was marked as N322PW - all previous AFSOC M-28 deliveries to the USA have used Polish "SP-D....." aircraft registrations for their delivery flight. 

This latest aircraft is c/n AJE003-22 - it first flew on 14th September 2010 marked as SP-DGT. The American registration N322PW was registered on 23rd September 2010 - the aircraft is painted white/blue.

After departing Mielec the aircraft landed at Copenhagen, Denmark en route to the USA - after this it flew via Keflavik Iceland, Narsarsuaq, Greenland and onto Goose Bay in Canada. On the 28th September 2010 it continued to Sept airport in Quebec, Canada and then onto Bangor, ME, USA - then onto Elmira - Corning airport NY, USA, then Willard, Champaign, IL and then Centennial, Denver, CO.


The link below shows the aircraft at Copenhagen on 25.9.10


http://forum.scramble.nl/viewtopic.php?p=442449


Steve

PW-5 Smyk - c/n 17.08.016 ZK-GES leaves New Zealand

The PW-5 Smyk single seat glider has always been very popular in New Zealand - in fact since 1995 twenty five different examples have been registered on the ZK New ZEalnd aircraft register - second only to Argentina with approx 36 examples.

Smyk ZK-GES c/n 17.08.206 was built at the PZL Swidnik factory in eastern Poland in 1997 and was exported brand new to New Zealand where it became ZK-GES on 4th November 1997. The glider was cancelled from the New Zealand aircraft register on 10th September 2010, cancelled as "exported" - can anyone tell me where this glider has gone please ?

Earlier in 2010 another Smyk was exported from New Zealand - this was ZK-GWN c/n 17.03.004 a 1994 vintage example.

If you can tell where these two PW-5 Smyks have gone then please do get in touch - thanks

UPDATE 1.10.10 - Both these PW-5 Smyks have been exported from New Zealand to Argentina

Steve

Aircraft sold to Poland from the UK - Summer 2010

The latest UK CAA register shows three "G-reg...." aircraft cancelled as sold to Poland -


G-GBLR Reims Cessna F150L c/n 1109  was built in 1974 originally registered as N961L. In 1985 this aircraft was imported into the UK and became G-GBLR.It was cancelled as sold to Poland on 21.7.10


G-LOKM PZL Koliber 160A c/n 04990080 was built in 1999 and test flew at PZL Okecie as SP-WGH. It was imported into the UK in September 1999 and became G-BYSH but was quickly re-registered as G-LOKM in 11.99. The aircraft is white and blue and had flown just 114 flight hours by 31.12.09. G-LOKM was cancelled as sold to Poland on 24.8.10 - I think this aircraft may be in the Krakow region.


G-MTGN CFM Shadow Series B c/n 041 this microlight aircraft was built in the UK in 1988 -  and was cancelled as sold to Poland on 23.9.09


please let me know if you see these aircraft in Poland - thank you.

Steve

Aero AT-4 flying in Malaysia

The FRAS Flying Club at Senai Airport, Johor in Malaysia currently operate an Aero AT-4 ( built by Aero at Mielec in Poland ) registered as 9M-EVA.

The AT-4 arrived in Malaysia in July 2009 and after assembly and local paperwork flew for the first time locally on 11th August 2009.

FRAS Flying Club will take delivery of a second new build Aero AT-4 in September 2010.

For more information about the FRAS Flying Club at Senai Airport, Johor, Malaysiaclick on the WWW link below

http://www.frasflyingclub.com.my/home.php




Steve

Poles at Son Bonet, Mallorca, Spain - August 2010

Noted at Son Bonet airfield ( a few miles North of Palma city ) on the island of Mallorca, Spain on 14th August 2010 were

EC-JUM - PZL Swidnik W-3AM Sokol c/n 370707 - this Sokol helicopter was built in late 1996 and test flew at Swidnik as SP-SYL (2) prior to delivery to South Korea for use by Daewoo as HL9257.

In 2006 it was sold onto Spain and became EC-JUM, owned by Sky Helicopters - it is now operated on behalf of the Govern de les Illes Balears ( the local government for the Ballearic Islands ) and is coded "H01" and is on standby for local emergency use and firefighting duties.

Also seen at Son Bonet was An-2 c/n 1G190-59 - this aircraft was built in 1981 and delivered to the USSR as CCCP-84627. In 1997 it was transferred to the Ukrainian aircraft register as UR-84627.
 

 
During 2005 this An-2 UR-84627 arrived at Son Bonet airfield on the island of Mallorca together with several other Ukraine registered An-2 aircraft. After sitting in the sun withdrawn from use for several years the airport authorities decided to auction these aircraft - today UR-84627 is the only example left. The registration has been overpainted from the fuselage but is still visible under the port wing. Note the "IV" marking - this may be connected with the auction.

The other three former Ukrainian An-2 that were sold off at Son Bonet were

UR-31497 - sold and become SP-OOH
UR-81649 - sold and became SP-FAV
UR-TAS - sold and became SP-AIN


I wonder if UR-84627 will ever fly again.


Steve

Aero AT-4 - Gobosh 700

Aero continue to build and export the AT-4 light sports aircraft at Mielec ( alongside the AT-3 ) - the latest aircraft to be exported to the USA is c/n AT4-025 which was registered as N273CB on 2nd August 2010 to an owner in Virginia, USA - in the USA the type is marketed as the Gobosh 700.

Aero are also busy building AT-4 aircraft for customers in Malaysia and South Korea for delivery in 2010.

If you can supply jpeg photos of these aircraft then please do let me know - thanks.


Steve

Rotorway Exec 162F G-BZXD sold to Poland

G-BZXD Rotorway Exec 162F helicopter was cancelled from the UK CAA "G-..." aircraft register on 3rd August 2010 as sold to Poland.

This small helicopter was built in 2001 but had flown only 17 flight hours by 31.12.09 - it is painted in a very distinctive red/yellow/green colour scheme - more details on the web link below

http://www.rotorway.co.uk/content/view/32/18/

If you see this helicopter in Poland please let me know - thanks


Steve

SP-HAA - FlyLAL Charters - Small Planet Airlines

FlyLAL Charters have registered their first airliner in Poland as SP-HAA. This Boeing 737-322 c/n 24664 was previously registered LY-FLD and is shown below taking off from Katowice.

photo supplied by Small Planet Airlines

The aircraft has been seen operating flights to Greece, Spain and Italy since May 2010 and is currently painted in in basic all white colour scheme with FlyLAL Charters titles, operating from Warsaw and Katowice.

On 22nd July 2010 FlyLAL Charters changed their operating name to Small Planet Airlines - the airline now operates from four European countries ( Lithuania, Estonia, Poland and Italy ) and wanted a new brand name and image to reflect its pan European operating

It is expected that 737 SP-HAA will be repainted into these new colours by October 2010.

Small Planet Airlines plan to add two Boeing 737-800 aircraft to their Polish operating fleet in summer 2011.

More details about Small Planet Airlines on their website below


http://www.smallplanet.aero/


UPDATE 1.11 - great photo of SP-HAA wearing the new Small Planet colour scheme

photo supplied by Small Planet Airlines

 Smart looking crew uniforms too  - good luck Small Planet

 photo supplied by Small Planet Airlines

Steve

SW-4 on display at Farnborough 2010

PZL Swidnik part of the AgustaWestland group are exhibiting a newly built SW-4 light helicopter at Farnborough 2010. The helicopter SP-SST arrived at Farnborough on 16.7.10 - the trade show startsed on Monday 19th July 2010.

The c/n of this helicopter is confirmed as 600402 ( ie Batch 04 aircraft 02 ).

This SW-4 will operate as a demonstrator. 

Another new SW-4 is SP-SSW c/n 600401 - this is currently operating in Arizona, USA for hot and high test trials.


Steve

Aero-Kros MP-02 Czajka - Type Certification - July 2010

Aero-Kros have announced that they have achieved Type Certification for their MP-02 Czajka ultralight aircraft design - congratulations on this success.



http://www.aero-kros.com/images/stories/aktualnosci/wiadectwo_Spe_wymaga_Technicznych.pdf


For more information on the MP-02 Czajka please see the link below

http://www.aero-kros.com/produkcja-i-obsluga-ulm/mp-02-czajka.html


Steve

First flight of S-70i Black Hawk built PZL Mielec

Sikorsky have announced the first test flight of the S-70i Black Hawk helicopter on 1st July 2010.  This helicopter was built at PZL Mielec in Poland and rolled out to the press on 15th March 2010. The helicopter was then shipped to the Sikorsky facility at   in Florida, USA.


More details via the official Sikorsky press release below



http://www.sikorsky.com/About+Sikorsky/News/Press+Details?pressvcmid=71ffc46734e89210VgnVCM1000004f62529fRCRD

TS-11 Iskra - 827 1H-0827 for sale June 2010

Currently being shown for sale on the WWW is former Team Iskry TS-11 Iskra serial 827 c/n 1H-0827.

This aircraft operated with the Polish Air Force display team "Team Iskry" during the 1990's with tail code "10".  By 1999 this code had changed to "6".

The aircraft was withdrawn from use several years ago as "Team Iskry" changed to operate the more modern Block 3 ( 3H-..... ) TS-11 Iskra aircraft. As a result this aircraft was stored at Deblin airbase until recently.

The photo shows the aircraft temporarily stored in a yard in the Praga district of Warsaw in June 2010 - it is up for sale via TDM Electronics.

For more details see the Link below

http://www.moto.allegro.pl/item1085532052_samolot_iskra_ts11.html


Steve

New VIP aircraft for Poland - Embraer 175 SP-LIG

The Polish Prime Minister Mr Tusk flew for the first time on board the new Polish Government VIP jet SP-LIG on 9th June 2010.

After the fatal accident of the Polish Air Force Tupolev Tu-154M serial 101 the Polish Government has leased an Embraer ERJ-175 from LOT Polish Airlines registration SP-LIG c/n 17000283.

This aircraft was delivered brand new to LOT from Embraer in Brazil in October 2009. It was repainted into the Polish Government white/red VIP colour scheme in May 2010 with Republic of Poland titles - note that this aircraft does not carry the Polish Air Force square military symbol as previous VIP jets have. The aircraft is operated with a LOT flight crew.

The Polish Air Force still has one other VIP Tupolev TU-154 which is currently in Russia undergoing deep maintenance. They also still operate several Soviet era Yak-40 jets but these are 30 years old.

A new VIP aircraft type has been under discussion for several years prior to the fatal crash of "101" in April 2010 at Smolensk, Russia.

A second Embraer ERJ-175 is also to be leased too - the lease contract for both aircraft will run until 2013

Mr Tusk flew on the new VIP jet to a European Union meeting in Brussels.

External LINK to photo of SP-LIG in the new VIP colour scheme

Steve

Ekolot KR-030 Topaz - recent delivery

Ekolot have recently delivered a new KR-030 Topaz aircraft to the Czech Republic. Registered as OK-PUS-24 the aircraft is c/n 30-03-07.

  
The aircraft was built in Krosno, Poland and was delivered in May 2010. It was seen at the recent Aero 2010 event at Pribram.  The Topaz has a distinctive shoulder mounted single section wing without support struts.  So far approximatley 30 examples of the Topaz have been built with examples flying in Poland, Czech Republic, Thailand, France and South Africa.


External Link to Ekolot website



Steve

ZS Jezow - PW-6U glider in the UK

The Cotswold Gliding Club are based at Aston Down airfield near Cirencester  - they operate many gliders including a pair of modern PW-6U two seater trainers.

The PW-6U was originally designed by the Politechnic Warszawa ( PW ) in Warsaw, Poland. Serial production was underataken by PZL Swidnik - between 2000 and 2004 approximately 30 PW-6U gliders were built at Swidnik with examples exported to New Zealnd, Japan, USA, France, Germany, Norway, Canada and Egypt.

Production at Swidnik ceased in 2004.  The licence and certificate to build the PW-6U was acquired by Henry Mynarski of Zaklad Szybowcowy Jezow ( ZS Jezow ). Mr Mynarski has a long history of glider construction in Poland.

ZS Jezow completed their first newly built PW-6U in 2007 c/n 78.04.01 - this first example was exported to Canada.  To date nine PW-6U have been built at ZS Jezow including exports to the USA, UK and Australia.

The Cotswold Gliding Club operate two PW-6U,

G-CKRU c/n 78.04.07
G-CKRX c/n 78.04.08

 

Link to Cotswold Gliding Club, UK

Link to ZS Jezow builder of the PW-6U glider



Steve

SP-AVC - Cirrus SR22 fatal accident 31.5.10

SP-AVC Cirrus SR22 G3 GTSX c/n 3260 crashed near the airfield at Bielefeld - Windelsbleiche, Germany EDLI on 31st May 2010 unfortunately killing all four occupants.

This Cirrus SR22 was built in the USA in 2008 - it was delivered to Europe in September 2008 registered as N939PG passing through the airports at Goose Bay, Canada CYYR, Narsarsuaq, Greenland BGBW, Reykjavik, Iceland BIRK, Wick, Scotland EGPC and onto Groningen, Netherlands EHGG.

N939PG was cancelled from the US FAA register on 1st October 2008. On 27th October 2008 it was officially registered in Poland as SP-AVC.

As SP-AVC this modern aircraft was seen visiting the airfields as Rome - Urbe, Italy LIRI in July 2009 and Antwerp, Belgium EBAW in August 2009.

Link to photos of SP-AVC Cirrus SR22

Link to press report on NW News Germany website


Steve

SP-YNZ - SBLim-2 - Mig 15 UTI flies again in Poland

On 26.5.2010 after many years of restoration "006" SBLim-2 ( two seater Mig 15bis ) took to the air again on its first flight post re-build.

"006" c/n 1A-06006 is now registered as SP-YNZ and took to the skies at Deblin air force base. This aircraft was once preserved as a display exhibit at the aircraft museum at Lodz. It arrived at Goraszka for re-build to flying standard by 2001. In May 2006 the aircraft was undergoing engine trials.

Congratulations to the restoration team - it's great to see this aircraft flying once again.

See photo link below for action shots of SP-YNZ at Deblin 26.5.2010

http://s557.photobucket.com/albums/ss14/7d_samples/EPDE/2010_05_26/


See video link below of it flying at Deblin, Poland on 26.5.2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVUM7h2pTy8


See another video link below of it flying at Deblin, Poland on 26.5.2010

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XlZU6MWf9n0


Steve

2 new 3xtrim Navigator 600 aircraft to USA

3xtrim have recently delivered two new Navigator 600 light sports aircraft to the USA from the factory at Bielsko Biala in Poland.

The aircraft are c/n E70 now registered as N5057 and c/n E72 now registered as N277MT - both aircraft are currently registered to 3xtrim Inc at Niagara, New York.

photo courtesy Rainbow Sport Aviation of Canada

Both aircraft were registered in May 2010.


Steve

Aircraft sold to Poland from the UK - May 2010

The latest UK CAA register shows one "G-reg...." aircraft cancelled as sold to Poland -


G-BPHT Cessna 152 II c/n 15282401 was built in 1978 and flew as N961LP.  In 1988 this aircraft was imported into the UK and became G-BPHT in 12.88.

The aircraft had flown 8,268 flight hours by 12.08 - it was cancelled from the UK CAA register on 19.5.10 as "sold to Poland" and should become SP-KFO

please let me know if you see this aircraft in Poland - thank you.

Steve

Aircraft sold to Poland from the UK

The latest UK CAA register shows two "G-reg...." aircraft cancelled as sold to Poland - please let me know if you see these aircraft in Poland - thank you.


G-TENS HOAV DV20 Katana c/n 20148 cancelled from the UK CAA register on 31.3.2010 - this aircraft was built in 1995 and was originally registered as G-BXBW. It is due to become SP-TMK in Poland.


Photo link to G-TENS


G-CCFN Cameron N-105 hot air balloon c/n 10442 cancelled from the UK CAA register on 26.4.2010 - this balloon was built in 2003 and is marked "Clairol"a hair colouring product-the balloon is pink and green - please let me know if you see this in Poland please - thank you.

Photo link to G-CCFN


Steve

Aero-Kros - Rotorway A600 Talon helicopters

Aero-Kros at Krosno in Poland are the import agents for Rotorways helicopters in Poland.

They have recently completed the building of their 3rd A600 Talon helicopter, registered SP-YKG - see below.

photo courtesy of Aero-Kros

photo courtesy of Aero-Kros

The first example was SP-YSZ which was displayed at Aero 2009 at Friedrichshafen, Germany in April 2009.
 
The  three helicopters are


SP-YFW c/n 8045

SP-YKG  c/n 8044

SP-YSZ  c/n 8043


Click here for more images of the Aero-Kros website


Click here for more info on the Rotorway A600 Talon


Steve

Bartolini Air take delivery of first Tecnam P2006T in Poland

Bartolini Air of Lodz, Poland have recently taken delivery of the first twin engined Tecnam P2006T in Poland.

The Italian designed aircraft has four seats and is registered as SP-DZW c/n 033. It is powered by two four cylinder four stroke Rotax 912S engines. It arrived in Poland on 26.4.2010.

The aircraft will be used primarily for multi engine flight training.


More info here about Bartolini Air


More Info here on the Tecnam website

Thanks to Norbert Domińczak of Bartolini Air for his help.

Steve

G-UKAT - Aero AT-3 - Accident 9th May 2010 in UK

Aero AT-3 G-UKAT was destroyed in an accident at North Weald airfield on 9th May 2010.

The aircraft hit a motor car whilst trying to land and caught fire. Thankfully the pilot and car passengers survived the accident.

G-UKAT was the sixth AT-3 to be built by Aero at Krosno in Poland but is unusual as it was delivered to the customer as a factory supplied kit. It arrived in the UK in April 2004 and was allocated the Popular Flying Association kit construction number PFA 327-14107. The aircraft is registered as an Aero AT-3 SK ( ie kit built ).

Aero have since moved their production facility to Mielec in Poland and have built over 50 examples of the AT-3 to date and more than 25 examples of the enhanced AT-4.

This AT-3 was based at North Weald airfield just to the North East of London - North Weald was a major RAF airfield during the Battle of Britain period in 1940.


The photo below was supplied by the Essex County Fire & Rescue Services

G-UKAT had flown 453 flight hours by 31.12.09.


More photos of the accident damage can be seen via the Essex County Fire & Rescue Services link below


http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/pages/index.asp?area=5&id=38&folder=658

More news details via the BBC link below

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/8672152.stm



Steve

SP-NAM - Bell 427

Bell 427 c/n 56076 was reported passing through Amsterdam Schipol in The Netherlands as cargo on 22.1.10.

This helicopter was built by Bell Textron in Canada and was cancelled from the Canadian register on 19.1.09 as C-FXSY.

UPDATE - May 2010

I'd like to thank Jacek Wójcis for supplying the photo of SP-NAM taken at Bydgoszcz in May 2010


Steve

G-BWDF - PZL 104 Wilga 35A - UK Accident 6th May 2010

Today, the 6th May 2010 is General Election day in the UK - people have been voting since 7am this morning.

At about 8am reports came in of a light aircraft plane crash at the airfield at Hinton in the Hedges. On board was Nigel Farage a parliamentary candidate ( for the UKIP party ) and a pilot.

The wreck of Wilga G-BWDF - Photo courtesy Sky News

The crashed aircraft is a PZL 104 Wilga 35A G-BWDF. There are reports that the aircraft was trailing a towing banner promoting the UKIP party and that this might have become caught in the rudder of the aircraft. Both the pilot and Mr Farage have been taken to hospital for treatment. Photos from the accident site show the aircraft inverted with major damage to the cockpit area.

G-BWDF c/n 21950955 is one of the last Wilga to have been built having first flown in July 1995 at the PZL Okecie factory in Warsaw Poland. When it was deliverd in was painted in a two tone green camoflague c/s and was based at White Waltham airfield to the West of London.  For several years it sat parked at White Waltham as the grass grew aound it.

External Link to photo of G-BWDF in its original green colours


By late 1999 it was dismantled and removed from White Waltham by lorry. It underwent a rebuild at Rushett Farm airstrip near Chessington and was back in the air by 2003 ( with just 22 flight hours in total ). In 2004 it was seen at Husbands Bosworth airfield acting as a glider tug.

By 2006 it was operating from the airfield at Dunsfold still painted green but by 2008 it had been repainted dark blue. In recent years the aircraft has been operated by "Sky Banners". The aircraft had flown 239 flight hours by 31.12.2008.

Let's hope the pilot and the passenger make a full recovery.


More info here via the Sky News website news story

More info here via the BBC News website news story


Steve

Aero-Kros MP-02 Czajka at Aero 2010

 
Aero-Kros of Krosno Poland exhibited a new build MP-02 Czajka at the recent Aero 2010 trade show heald at Friedrichshafen, Germany.

The MP-02 is a high wing, T tail composite ultralight aircraft. Aero-Kros displayed the
 

 prototype of the MP-02 at the same show last year, April 2009, this has been test flying  registered as SP-SABD.

The aircraft shown at Aero 2010 was newly built and unregistered ( see above photo ) but will be delivered shortly to the Aero-Kros dealer in Belgium, JMB Aviation.


For more information about th MP-02 Czajka see the web link below



http://www.aero-kros.com/offer/26-mp-02-czajka.html


Steve